Boxer Vijender Singh has defeated WBC European champion Kerry Hope to win WBO Asia Pacific Middleweight title. Vijender won the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title with a 98-92, 98-92 and 100-90 and dedicated his win to Muhammad Ali.
It took Vijender 10 hard-fought round to win the game even though he seemed aggressive from the beginning.
“I want to dedicate my #WBO win to Mohammad Ali,” said Vijender Singh after winning the bout.
“Thank you India! I didn’t expect it to go to ten rounds. It is all to my country, not about me! We have been working hard for this. Finally we did it and we will work to improve my ranking now,” added Singh.
Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi congratulated Vijender Singh on twitter for his hard fought win. “Congratulations @boxervijender for a hard fought and well deserved win. It was yet another display of immense skill, strength & stamina,” tweeted PM.
From the beginning of the match, Vijender dominated over his opponent and looked for knockout blow even though Kerry Hope was considered more attacking of the two.
“This comes after a lot of hard work put in by me, my trainer, my team. I thank my coach, my promoter and my team who have done a fantastic job,” said Singh.
Cricketer Virender Sehwag, actor Randeep Hooda and many eminent personalities marked their presence in the match to cheer the Indian boxer.
“It was a great fight. I loved it. Vijender Singh did very well, very proud of him,” said Hooda after the fight.
Virender Sehwag has tweeted a day before asking people to cheer Singh in the boxing fight. “I am going to be there at Thyagraj stadium tomorrow, supporting our #RingKaKing @boxervijender. Do cheer for him!,” tweeted Sehwag.